Wednesday, August 18, 2010

One would say that the ideal Muslim teenager is the one who fulfills his or her rights in Islam such as he prays his obligatory prayers or she fasts during the month of Ramadhan...

Others would say that in Islam, there's really no "teenager", they're are actually adults, just younger.

But living in the west, there's a difference between a teenager and an adult. The teenager does not necessarily do what the adult does in the society.

When teens become teens, they see the true reality in life. They realize that life isn't always a ray of sunshine, they figure out that their parents aren't perfect, they start to think for themselves and do things their way.

But what if you are a Muslim teenager and you already knew all that? What if you already knew that life isn't fair and that parents are not perfect? If we look closely at hows Islam describes what a teenager is and what the society describes what a teenager is, we'll see a big difference.

Islam's Teenager:

Prays 5 times a day

Fasts the holy month of Ramadhan

Enjoins what is good and forbid what is evil

Lowers his or her gaze

Respects his or her dress code

Acquires knowledge

Does not mix with the opposite gender

Picks his friends wisely

Participates with the community

Is active and productive

Does not despair from Allah's mercy

Has a bigger goal in mind

Follows the Qur'an and Sunnah

Loves for his brother what he loves for himself

Society's Teenager:

Acquires knowledge

Has a bunch of friends

Tries to fit in with the crowd

Does after school activities, has a hobby

Participates with the community

Likes what the other kids like

Checks out the opposite gender

Can be lazy

Atitude

Gets Teenage Angst

Can be moody

Feels lost

Wants to be known

Wants to be the best

Constantly changes

Is pretty much hated by adults

Always tries something new

Wants to be treated as a 'big kid'

Pushes and hides himself or herself from the older

Complains that no one 'gets him'

So utterly confused

Lets society show him or her who they really are

Two words. Peer Pressure

Obviously there are some things you're just not going to do because it's impermissible in Islam. But there are some things mentioned above that as a teenager, you just face it. Like moodiness, I don't know anyone who has never been moody, it's natural. So is peer pressure, you just got the get the good kind and not the bad one. When the Muslim teenager in the west is fulfilling his or her rights, they are considered to be acting like an adult. Why is that? It makes teenagers sound like immature grown babies.

Once, a friend of mine told me that I looked very mature, that I'm a good girl and is respect-worthy because of how I dressed('abayah) and act.

She was telling be that I should be treated like an adult. Not a teen.

But why? Because I don't go joking with the guys? Because I don't go to parties? Because I don't own a pair of skinny's? That makes me not a teen? I don't think so, I think there's more to it being an adolescent.

Many of the things I've mentioned in the society's teen is in fact seen in the Muslim teen. But how much can you show?

I'm asking if it's possible to combine both and have an ideal Muslim teen in his society (not Muslim adult, but teen [hope that made sense...]).

Friday, August 6, 2010

Although Ramadhan is just few days away, don't be so sure you're going to make it. It's Allah that is keeping you alive at the moment and if He (swt) willed, He could take it away one minute before Ramadhan. HOPE that you make it inshaAllah.

Make dua that you do make it and that you benefit from it inshaAllah. Try reading up on things to do, participate in the cool activities you can do during this month like : Ramadhan Quran Contest or try to complete the Ramadhan checklist. Read some interesting books, articles, listen to lectures and/or catch some Ramadhan specials coming on HudaTV inshaAllah.

I'm only left to say Ramadhan Mubarak you and your families and may Allah (swt) let you all live to see this Ramadhan. :)

May Allah help us attain Taqwa during this month,May Allah keep us dutiful to our parents and respect ourelders,May Allah bringthe ummah closer during this blessed month,May Allah help us to truly benefit from this month,May we always remember our Lord every second,May Allah let us observe Laylatul Qadr,May Allah accept our duas during this month,May Allah raise our rank on this month,May Allah forgive our sins and accept our repentance,May Allah have mercy on us.